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P M Allen Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$10.0M
Grant Range
$3000K - $7.7M

P M Allen Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,000,000
  • Success Rate: N/A (No public application process)
  • Decision Time: N/A (Trustee discretion)
  • Grant Range: $3,000,000 - $7,700,000 (based on recent grants)
  • Geographic Focus: National/International through intermediary organizations

Contact Details

  • Phone: 585-232-6500
  • Address: PO Box 5423, Hanover, NH 03755-5423
  • Website: None
  • Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The P M Allen Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2013 with assets of approximately $96.6 million as of 2024. The foundation makes substantial annual grants totaling around $10 million per year, though it operates without a public application process. Based in Hanover, New Hampshire, the foundation demonstrates a strategic approach to philanthropy through large grants to intermediary organizations that can redistribute funds or provide fiscal sponsorship services. The foundation is professionally managed with an Investment Committee led by Jennifer Murtie, Chief Wealth Advisory Officer at Ballentine Partners, ensuring sophisticated asset management alongside philanthropic activities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not maintain formal grant programs open to public application. Recent grant-making has shown:

  • General Operating Support Grants: $3,000,000 - $7,700,000
  • Focus on intermediary organizations with redistribution capabilities
  • Unrestricted funding preferred over project-specific support

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant recipients:

  • Community foundations and regional philanthropy
  • Global humanitarian and development work through fiscal sponsors
  • Organizations that can efficiently redistribute funds to smaller nonprofits

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's pattern suggests they do not fund:

  • Individual organizations through direct application
  • Small grants under $1 million
  • Project-specific or restricted funding requests

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

  • Frank M. Lesher - Board Chair
  • Brian M. Feldman - Director
  • Jennifer Murtie - Director and Investment Committee Chair (Chief Wealth Advisory Officer at Ballentine Partners)

The foundation operates with no full-time staff, relying on its board of trustees for all decision-making and grant allocation. Jennifer Murtie's professional background in wealth management and philanthropy brings sophisticated financial expertise to the foundation's operations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the board of trustees, likely based on pre-existing relationships and strategic philanthropic priorities determined by the founding family. Organizations have received funding through:

  • Direct trustee selection and invitation
  • Relationships with board members' professional networks
  • Grants to intermediary organizations that redistribute funds

Getting on Their Radar

Given Jennifer Murtie's role as Chief Wealth Advisory Officer at Ballentine Partners and her leadership of the foundation's Investment Committee, organizations connected to Ballentine Partners' philanthropic advisory networks may have better visibility. The foundation's significant grants to The Boston Foundation ($7.7 million in 2023) and Global Impact ($3 million in 2023) suggest these intermediary organizations may serve as conduits for smaller organizations seeking funding.

Decision Timeline

As a private foundation operating by trustee discretion, decision timelines are not publicly available and likely vary based on the trustees' meeting schedule.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates without a public application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations should note:

  • The foundation's preference for large, transformative grants rather than small donations
  • Their willingness to provide unrestricted operating support rather than project-specific funding
  • The pattern of funding intermediary organizations suggests they value efficiency and broad impact
  • Connection through the trustees' professional networks, particularly in wealth management and philanthropic advisory circles, appears to be the primary pathway to consideration

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The P M Allen Family Foundation is a legitimate grant-maker with $96+ million in assets, making approximately $10 million in annual grants
  • There is no public application process - this is a private family foundation operating by trustee discretion
  • Recent grants have been very large ($3-7.7 million) to intermediary organizations like The Boston Foundation and Global Impact
  • Organizations seeking funding should explore indirect pathways through the intermediary organizations that have received grants
  • The foundation provides unrestricted general operating support rather than project-specific funding
  • Professional connections through Jennifer Murtie's philanthropic networks at Ballentine Partners may provide visibility
  • This foundation should not be included in active grant prospect lists unless there is a pre-existing relationship or clear introduction pathway

References

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